South Africa, Botswana & Lower Zambezi Safari - Aug 2019

On the morning of August 16, you will be met and transferred to our private charter aircraft for the flight to MalaMala Private Game Reserve bordering Kruger National Park, South Africa.

MalaMala is home to all the “Big Five” - elephant, African buffalo, lion, rhino and leopard—and they are seen most every day. The reserve is renowned for its leopards and is one of the best places in Africa to see and photograph these beautiful cats. You will have three days with game drives, watching these beautiful cats along with a great variety of other wildlife - hippo, kudu, nyala, giraffe, zebra, African wild dog, and hyena. Here, you are sure to have incredible sightings throughout your stay.

The oldest private reserve in South Africa, MalaMala shares a 12 mile border with Kruger National Park. Located in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, MalaMala encompasses a diverse range of habitats in its 33,000 acres. Game drives venture daily across the river into the vast tract of wilderness land that stretches undisturbed for miles. MalaMala was one of the first reserves to ban hunting, switching to a model of photographic safaris 50 years ago. As a result, generations of animals have lived their lives undisturbed in the presence of vehicles, enabling the rangers to provide you with fantastic, close-up game viewing and photographic opportunities.

MalaMala Sable Camp looks out to the perennial Sand River, whose waters attract elephants and other game. Pathways wind through the camp leading to cottages tucked into the greenery. Massive trees and rolling green lawns are filled with birdsong. The camp is unfenced, an oasis in the midst of the bush-veld and in this dry season you will likely enjoy wildlife sightings from your private veranda or as you walk through camp.

After an early morning game drive, we board our private charter aircraft and fly to Mashatu Game Reserve located in the remote eastern corner of Botswana. This enormous tract of semi-arid land comprises a wilderness of savanna, riverine forests, open plains and sandstone outcrops.

Mashatu is home to seven of Africa’s giants: the African elephant, baobab tree, eland, ostrich, kori bustard, lion, and giraffe. It’s not the quantity of wildlife seen here, but the quality of the sightings that make it such an excellent location.

A highlight at Mashatu are their exceptional sunken photographic hides, which we have reserved for our group's exclusive use. The hides put you at eye level with wildlife, offering a fantastic viewpoint for the great range of animals that come to drink daily. At this very dry time of year, animals are also drawn to the small pools of water remaining in the river courses, where huge Mashatu trees provide shade for eland, kudu, impala, wildebeest, baboon and zebra, as well as numerous predators including lion, jackal and hyena.

Cheetah and leopard are seen frequently in the reserve. After sunset, while returning to camp, you’ll look for bat-eared fox, African wildcat, civet, genet and springhare.

Situated above a waterhole, Mashatu Main Camp is an oasis of luxurious bush-veld comfort. Evening meals are enjoyed in the enclosed boma around a blazing fire, below the brilliant night sky.

This morning, we board our private aircraft for a flight to Kasane in northeastern Botswana. Our destination is the verdant Chobe River, and the abundant wildlife attracted to its shores. We will cross the river by boat to the Zambezi Region of Namibia (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip) before arriving at our riverside lodge.

Morning and afternoon outings here will be exclusively from small boats, giving us a fresh, water-level perspective on the diverse wildlife drawn to the river during this dry season. The Chobe floodplain is renowned for its large concentrations of elephant, buffalo and zebra and a variety of predators. Kudu, waterbuck, impala, and the more rare and beautiful roan and sable antelope also come to the river to drink. The Chobe River is home to a large variety of water birds such as blacksmith lapwings, sacred ibis, saddlebill storks, kingfishers, and fish eagles. Perhaps the most coveted birds to see and photograph here are the giant kingfishers and malachite kingfishers found perching along the shoreline.

The highlights of your visit will be dramatic views of hippos, crocodile, and great herds of elephants as they drink, bathe, and swim across the river to graze on the lush green islets. You will find sunset on the Chobe River is a gorgeous and tranquil place to enjoy your evening “sundowner.”

Chobe Savanna Lodge is built on a remote looping bend of the river that feels like an island. It is perfectly situated to take the best advantage of the water-based activities in an area less frequented by other travelers.

This morning we return across the Chobe river to the Kasane, Botswana side and meet our private charter flight to the Okavango Delta.

The Okavango is a pristine floodplain and river system in the Kalahari Desert, forming Africa’s largest oasis. This incredibly rich big game area offers some of the best wildlife viewing anywhere in Africa.

A favorite of top safari guides and photographers alike, Chitabe Camp is located on one of the most beautiful islands in the Delta. Here you will be surrounded by a great diversity of habitats, with open savannas wrapping around islands of woodlands, permanent waterways, marshlands and seasonal floodplains. This variety of habitats ensures diverse and exciting game viewing, and Chitabe’s guide’s intimate knowledge of the reserve and natural history expertise make every game drive a pleasure.

Here, you may also choose to take an optional helicopter flight over the Delta, “doors off!” to maximize your photographic experience.

Chitabe is known as a fantastic place for watching lions and leopards, and you will also find African buffalo, elephant, zebra, baboons, cheetah and giraffe, as well as spectacular bird life: especially captors. African wild dogs are regularly sighted, and typically den here, and in August, there is a good chance to see puppies. The dogs have been studied in this area since 1989 and Chitabe Camp has been actively involved in their conservation.

Chitabe is a luxurious tented safari camp built along a raised boardwalk so wildlife can move freely through the camp. Each tent’s veranda looks out over the open savanna and wildlife is frequently in view. Chitabe’s friendly and outstanding staff enriches everyone’s experience at this camp.

After a morning game drive, we will have brunch at camp before boarding our mid-day charter flight to Maun, Botswana to connect with international flights home.

Please Note: We do not include the flight from Maun to Johannesburg, South Africa in the program cost to allow for variations in departure plans, but Eyes On Africa will be happy to book this flight for you. If you would like to add on a personal extension to Victoria Falls, or beyond, that may also be booked through Eyes On Africa.

International flights may be scheduled to depart that evening to home destinations. See optional travel extensions below.

Following our morning activities at Chitabe Camp, we will board our charter flight to Maun, Botswana. There we will transfer to our charter flight to Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia.

We will arrive to the Radisson Blu Hotel in the mid- to late-afternoon. This stop will offer you a brief opportunity to rest and relax a bit, reorganize gear, take a swim, check email, or perhaps enjoy a massage or spa treatment at the Radisson's Uzuri Spa. This evening, you may choose to dine with our group at the Radisson's Chuma Grill Restaurant in the hotel.

The next morning will offer a slightly more leisurely start than the typical safari day. After indulging in the hotel's extensive breakfast buffet, we will depart for our private charter flight to the Lower Zambezi National Park and Chiawa Camp.

After a short flight from Lusaka, we arrive on the banks of the Zambezi River, where we journey by boat to the award-winning Chiawa Camp located in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

The park borders 120 kilometers of the Zambezi River, and is a magical environment for wildlife and photography. The area is a stunning mosaic of islands, lagoons and floodplains attracting a huge variety of wildlife. Leopard and lion sightings here are fantastic. Chiawa is well known for their expert guides’ abilities to track and find these top predators. With herds of elephant and African buffalo, prolific hippo, over 300 bird species, gigantic baobab trees and magnificent stands of acacia, the Lower Zambezi National Park and Chiawa Camp are one of Africa’s most superb and exclusive safari destinations.

In addition to daily game drives, you will have opportunities for outings by boat and guided canoe on the Zambezi River (they paddle, you photograph), offering fresh perspectives for photographing wildlife, including elephant, waterbuck, crocodile, African buffalo, hippo, spectacular bee-eaters and kingfishers. There is a very special, peaceful quality found on the river as you drift past wildlife on the river’s edge.

We will have four nights at Chiawa Camp allowing ample time to explore, to enjoy the various game viewing options and activities, and to further expand your photographic experiences.

The area has a very healthy leopard population and game drive sightings here can offer some of the very best views in Africa of these elegant and reclusive carnivores. Chiawa offers bush walks with a naturalist guide and Zambia park ranger (conditions allowing). There are hides near camp for viewing and photographing game.

If you want to try your hand, the fishing is great. Tiger fish is a specialty and will be in season.

The lodge and guest tents rest peacefully along the riverbank in a grove of acacia and mahogany trees. Guest tents are luxurious, with all the amenities you might want on safari including a claw-foot tub as well as outdoor and indoor showers. The camp compliments its idyllic setting while remaining part of the natural environment. Elephants and other game are frequently found in the shady environment of camp, the elephants walking the paths without disturbing the stones that line it. Hippo, African buffalo, baboons, vervet monkeys and other animals move freely through the area. The sights from your own deck may be a special delight. The luxurious tents are under shade, with a raised deck, private veranda and en-suite facilities.

After an optional early morning game drive and brunch, you will meet our private charter flight to Lusaka, Zambia and connect with your afternoon and evening international flights home. Day rooms are included for any travelers who will be on evening flights.

Please Note: Prior to booking international flights homeward, please contact Eyes On Africa to check camp departure time for same day connections on September 1. If you would like a private extension to Victoria Falls or elsewhere, Eyes On Africa will be happy to assist.